MR J-FLAG WHAT IS UR POINT?

Let’s get the story straight

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Dear Editor,
We are alarmed at the recent stories in both the Sunday Observer and Sunday Gleaner
of December 13, regarding the arrest in Florida of dancehall artiste Mark Myrie, better

known as Buju Banton, on a charge of intent to traffic in cocaine.
Our concern relates to the manner in which the background of the stories pointed to the ongoing challenges between Banton and gay rights groups across the United States which have sought to
ban his entry and performance in their country. We find it unfortunate that an article
about a brilliant artiste being charged with such a crime could so disingenuously be
turned into one about him being victimised by the so-called gay community.
It is important for us to remember that Buju was arrested when the police linked five kilos
of cocaine to him. It is this charge that should be at the focus of the story which was
reported. We believe that framing the story against the backdrop of gay organisations’
protests against him provides the clear basis for insinuating that Banton’s most
unfortunate experience could in some way be linked to the international gay
community. Such a link is not only false, it is irresponsible.
We wish to declare publicly that we support Banton’s right to be defended and believe
that he is innocent of the charge until proven guilty. We also wish to make what might

be deemed a very controversial point: that while some drug use, particularly that of
cocaine, has ravaged many black communities across the Americas, adults have the
right to decide whether or not they use drugs and should not be criminalised for doing
so. At the same time, we are not unmindful that traffickers, pedlars and users have
turned brother against brother, and allowed thugs to terrorise our families, kill our
police and witnesses to heinous crimes, and dons to corrupt our political and social
systems. Perhaps we may need to bring to the centre of this discussion the question of
whether and in which circumstances personal choices should be criminalised.
So let’s get the story straight. Buju Banton has promoted, through his lyrics, hatred of homosexuals and has called for people who are homosexuals to be murdered. He has never renounced or regretted
any these abuses of his privileged position. He did all of this on his own. He is now
facing the consequences of actions totally unrelated to gays and lesbians in a
community that has long come to recognise that human beings are born in dignity and
with rights and obligations to themselves and one another. We hope that common
sense and a commitment to truth will triumph over stereotypes and a rush to
condemnation.
Jason McFarlane
J-FLAG
PO Box 1152, Kingston 8 

I think you need to take your concerns to the international forums that included Buju’s lyrical genius as a part  of their story. Now that you and your fellow world wide organizations have pointed a finger at Buju and the world has answered back by pointing the finger back at you guys…It is now a concern right? Things will get violent now that people are accusing members of the gay community who first were the ones to bash this man’s reputation instead of just plainly reporting the story… Jackass say di world nuh level right?

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Stand by Buju

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Dear Editor,
With the world accepting that Buju Banton is homophobic, can he get a fair trial in America?
The US is a country that deals with due process. In the Magna Carta, due process is referred to as “law of the land” and “legal judgement of peers”

The rights of every Jamaican citizen must be protected by the Jamaican government and it needs to give attention to the matter of Buju Banton in a Florida jail

Buju needs 30 days’ speedy trial and a public defender. Where is the Jamaican consulate? The consulate must respond to the needs of Jamaican citizens in Florida

Rev Joan Porteous

[email protected]

Joan , your letter is short but it speaks volumes as to what needs to be done!